The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) develops standards through a consensus-based process involving technical committees and member votes. If approved, draft standards become published international standards. ISO collaborates closely with other international standards bodies and organizations like the UN on issues involving trade, health, transportation and more. It also partners with regional standards organizations and seeks input from business and consumer groups to develop standards globally.

1. International
Organization for
Standardization
Discover ISO
By: Raziel B. Lucagbo
ACT- 1

2. How ISO Standards Are Developed
 A technical committee meet to discuss, debate and argue until
they reach consensus on a draft agreement.
 circulated as a Draft International Standard (DIS) to ISO's membership
as a whole for comment and balloting.
 ISO members then take account of any feedback they receive in
formulating their position on the draft standard.
 If the voting is in favor, the document, with eventual
modifications, is circulated to the ISO members as a Final Draft
International Standard (FDIS
 If that vote is positive, the document is then published as an
International Standard.
 Every working day of the year, an average of eight ISO meetings are
taking place somewhere in the world.
 ISO technical bodies have already gone over entirely
◦ working electronically
◦ speeds up the development of standards
◦ cuts travel costs.

3. ISO's International Partners
 three organizations, based in Geneva, Switzerland, have formed the World
Standards Cooperation (WSC) to act as a strategic focus for collaboration and
the promotion of international standardization.
◦ International Organization Standardization ( ISO)
◦ International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC)
◦ International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
 It has a close relationship with the World Trade Organization (WTO)
◦ particularly appreciates the contribution of ISO's standards to reducing
technical barriers to trade.
 ISO collaborates with the United Nations (UN) Organization and its specialized
agencies and commissions, also those involved in the harmonization of
regulations and public policies.
◦ CODEX Alimentarius on food safety measurement, management and traceability
◦ UN Economic Commission for Europe (UN/ECE), on the safety of motor vehicles and the transportation of
dangerous goods
◦ World Health Organization (WHO), on health technologies
◦ International Maritime Organization (IMO), on transport security
◦ World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), on the quality of services related to tourism.

4. In Addition of ISO’s International
Partners
 ISO cooperates with UN organizations that provide assistance and support to
developing countries
◦ United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)
◦ United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)
◦ International Trade Centre (ITC).
 ISO's technical committees have formal liaison relations with over
600 international and regional organizations.
 ISO also collaborates regularly with the major international
organizations for metrology, quality and conformity assessment.
 ISO has reinforced its links with international organizations
representing different groups of stakeholders.
◦ World Economic Forum (WEF)
◦ Consumers International (CI)
◦ World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), and
◦ International Federation of Standards Users (IFAN).

5. ISO's Regional Partners
 ISO's members also belong to regional standardization
organizations.
 ISO has recognized regional standards organizations, representing:
◦ African Regional Organization for Standardization (ARSO)
◦ Arab Industrial Development and Mining Organization (AIDMO)
◦ European Committee for Standardization (CEN)
◦ Pan American Standards Commission (COPANT)
◦ Euro Asian Council for Standardization, Metrology and Certification (EASC)
◦ Pacific Area Standards Congress (PASC)
◦ ASEAN Consultative Committee for Standards and Quality (ACCSQ)